When was the last time you spent time with your family? Setting aside time to cultivate family togetherness is important for strengthening bonds. Afterall, your family members are the ones who will always be there for you whenever you need help.

Other than checking out new cafes or window shopping, what else can you do as a family together? Singapore may just be a small red dot, but there are many fun activities that you can do other than just an outing to the beach, visiting a park or attraction, or staying at home playing board games. One great way is through exercise. Not only is it good for your health, it won’t hurt your pocket much either!

Here are some interesting physical activities that you and your loved ones can bond over.

Foot on the pedal

In Singapore, the rent-a-bike or bicycle-sharing system has taken off since its introduction. Bicycles for rent from oBike, Ofo, and Mobike are easily available, and very often with more than one bike for rental right below your block or even at East Coast Park. This saves you the hassle and stress of loading up and transporting your whole family’s bicycle to the beach or park connector. All you need to do is locate a bicycle using your phone and you are off!

Cycling improves stamina and joint mobility, and burns calories. Even a leisurely 20-minute bike ride can burn about 120 calories. Cycling is also an excellent way to explore your neighbourhood and the surrounding areas – who knows what you might find along the way! It’s certainly a fun way to stay healthy, and this might just turn into a regular activity for the whole family. So get the family and loved ones together, and start pedalling!

Just remember to leave the bikes in the designated parking areas once you are done.

Scoot on over

Another Personal Mobility Device (PMD) that has taken over the streets in recent times is the e-scooter. It is not surprising too, as they make commuting much easier. E-scooters are not cheap but did you know that you could rent one at an hourly, daily, and even a weekly rate? With e-scooter sharing companies like Telepod, Neuron Mobility, PopScoot, and Falcon Pev, you and your loved ones can now scoot around town, parks, and just about everywhere. It’s a pretty good workout for the core as you manoeuvre your way on winding roads all the while trying to stay balanced on two wheels.

A cheaper option that works out the body even harder is the humble kick scooter. Kick scooting burns up about 30 percent more energy than cycling and an hour’s activity can burn anything from 400 to 500 calories! Isn’t it great to be able to burn calories and at the same time, have fun with family and friends? Just remember to stay on cycling/shared paths and pedestrian footpaths, and stay off the roads! Exercise caution while riding, wear a helmet, and remain aware of your surroundings.

Our very own Dr. Terence Tan grew up in Tiong Bahru, and he once went on a heritage trail to locate the house he grew up in as well as locate some landmarks around the area like the grave of Tan Tock Seng. Singapore National Heritage Board has a portal, Roots.sg, is a great resource for heritage lovers and features 85 heritage trails.

Not only will you and your family burn calories as you walk the trails, you will learn about Singapore’s past and even interesting monuments or historical sites along the way.

Wait no more, start gathering your family and loved ones for a sweet bonding session. Do remember to put on sunscreen to protect your skin from the UV rays. Have fun!